Unforgettable History

Nanjing has experienced both boundless prosperity and bitter deprivation.

For the most part, the city historically served as a center for rump states. It was both blessed and cursed by its superior location and ideal cultural environment. Completely destroyed six times during years of wars, it bounced back and continued to thrive.

The first devastation occurred in 327 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), when a large scale rebellion broke out. The rebel army captured the city and burned down the imperial palaces, leaving the capital in ruins.

The second was in 548, when a rebellion broke out against the Liang Dynasty (502-557). The rebel army captured Nanjing, burning down the homes of local inhabitants as well as prominent buildings and the city gates. Rebel troops then channeled water from Xuanwu Lake to inundate the imperial palace and central offices. The once prosperous city was pillaged and laid to waste, its civilians either killed or left to starve to death.

The third annihilation occurred when the Sui Dynasty (581-618) overthrew the Chen Dynasty (557-589). Founding Emperor Wendi of Sui ordered the complete destruction of Nanjing. The official mansions and grand imperial palaces were accordingly dismantled.

During the Sui and Tang (618-907) dynasties, the central authorities gave less financial support to Nanjing as it was no longer the capital city. However, its advantageous geographical location propelled the region's economic and cultural progress. During the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-975), Nanjing was once more declared the capital, and the city expanded with the launch of various construction projects. Nanjing has since continued to play a main role in Southeast China's economic development.

At the onset of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), although Nanjing was no longer the capital, it suffered a fourth disaster due to its location. Rivals from northern China moved south to attack the Southern Song, and captured Nanjing on their way in 1129. The following year, after ransacking and confiscating large fortunes, they interned civilians and burned down the entire city.

Nanjing's fifth devastation came in the 19th century. In 1853, the Taiping Rebellion forces captured the city and made it the seat of the rebellion. They destroyed Nanjing, demolishing the palace and many ancient temples built during the Ming Dynasty to obtain the construction materials necessary to build their own palace.

Even worse was the havoc the Qing army wrought in 1864, when it captured Nanjing from rebels and reportedly kept the city burning for seven days, completely destroying its fine architecture.

Nanjing's final devastation occurred on December 13, 1937, the day that Japanese invaders occupied Nanjing. In the course of the ensuing month, Japanese troops carried out the infamous Nanjing Massacre, killing civilians, desecrating culture relics, and burning down ancient residential houses and cultural sites.

It is difficult to believe that Nanjing, the beautiful and prosperous city of today, survived so many catastrophes. History serves as a reminder of our need to respect and preserve a peaceful life, and do our utmost to avoid the misery and death that wars bring.